Fadeaways
This is the best video I can find of the Dragan Bender fadeaway. #Suns #SUNSat50 https://t.co/Nn8PhVaBgo
— Valley of the Suns (@ValleyoftheSuns) November 14, 2017
If you watched the Suns and Lakers on Sunday, November 13, you saw something that made you say: “WOW!”
Late in the third quarter, Bender posted up on Corey Brewer from about 15-feet out. Unlike Devin Booker who, in a very entertaining move, backed Lonzo Ball back from about 18-feet out all the way to under the basket dropping in an easy hook, Bender flicked his left shoulder, pick up his dribble, and in an instant turned over his right shoulder and while fading away put up an unblockable shot. The result: swish.
This was the first time that Suns fans saw this shot, but the smoothness of the move itself coupled with the confidence with which he put it up was proof of practice.
So far Dragan Bender is still very far from being a focal point in the Suns’ offense. Not only is he consistently still only a 4th or 5th option when on the court, but his shooting inconsistency rightfully on occasion gives the guards reason to pause when in the motions of the offense.
However, should that single shot have not been a mirage, and should the fadeaway not only develop but a greater consistency of scoring develop as well, then Bender may be building his game up right before our eyes to become at least a third option on offense, if not eventually a second.
This shot needs to continue to be cultivated. It needs to be seen on a nightly basis. As broadcaster Tom Chambers says, he needs to act like a 7-footer, and adding a post-up game would be a fabulous addition to not only his repertoire, but the team’s ability to turn a failed fastbreak opportunity into a certain shot.